It's that time of year again, and I've got the travel bug! The adventures will begin with the whole family in Vietnam and Cambodia. After my dad flies home, my ma, sister, and I will explore the beaches of Thailand. Then, my sister and I are let loose to roam Southeast Asia heading towards Nepal and northern India. Mid April I fly to Zambia to volunteer for a month at Appeased School before starting work in San Francisco. Ready or not, HERE I COME!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Common Life in Nepali Villages

You travel to see things, to broaden your
horizon, and to experience different cultures. Even when you explore and engulf
yourself in a new country, you still cannot see everything. There is so much
tragedy that is overlooked or put behind closed doors. In Nepal, women are
still struggling for their rights. The government does not see them as
citizens. Therefore, they cannot pass land to their children, they cannot give
their children citizenship, and sometimes they cannot even eat dinner at the
same table as their husband and elders. People live in villages with no running
water, no hospitals, and since the young men have left to find work, no
farmers. Still today, people die from common diarrhea or infections that simple
antibiotics could cure. The saddest part of all, Suzie and I have been in the
country for 5 days now, and we wouldn't know about any of this if it weren't for
a local women we met on the rafting trip. The government tries to hide it
because it’s not the most optimal advertising for tourists. Very few tourist
actually know what is happening in this country.

All of this knowledge makes
me want to do something to help, but all this knowledge also makes me wonder if
I can even help. I'm only one person and the problems are so big. Programs can
be implemented and money can be donated, but nothing will change unless you
make the people sustainable. You have to teach villagers skills that they can
continue to use. Teach them how to sow instead of giving clothes. Teach them
how to farm instead of giving food. For long term change, the government must
also change. For that to occur, I don't know if I have any influence. Though,
the key is to start small and with enough small things, you create something
big. Change the people in order to change the governing. Most of all, a little
luck is often needed to get the ball rolling.